Using Effigies to Disperse Nuisance Vulture Roosts 

John S. Humphrey, Eric, A. Tillman, Michael L. Avery 

USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services-National Wildlife Research Center, Florida Field Station 

What is an effigy? 

An effigy is a “full or partial representation...” of a person or object. An 

effective vulture effigy for dispersing vultures at roost sites can be a fresh 

vulture carcass, a taxidermic preparation, or an artificial likeness. 

Overview 

The following guidelines were developed primarily for effigy use at vulture roosts in wooded or 

forested habitats, but the same principles apply for roosts located on towers and at other sites, or 

for nuisance vulture situations caused by daytime vulture activity. Regardless of the situation or 

roost habitat, proper effigy placement is crucial to the tool’s success.

 

When deciding where to hang an effigy: 

 Identify locations with the highest bird activity or use, often indicated by an accumulation of 

feces and feathers; 

 Place the effigy where it will be visible to birds coming into the roost; 

 Hang it from a prominent branch or support structure; and 

 Make it inaccessible to perching vultures to prevent the birds from damaging it. 

Vulture Carcass Effigies 

Effigies are often created from vulture carcasses but can also be made from 

a combination of natural and synthetic materials. Once a vulture has been 

acquired under a legal take permit, determine whether a long term or 

temporary effigy is needed. If the effigy will be used for a relatively long period 

of time (e.g., # of days/months) or at multiple sites, the bird should be prepared 

by a taxidermist and treated with a spray preservative, such as ScotchgardTM

Leather and Suede. Position the prepared bird so it resembles a dead bird 

hung by its feet with one or both wings hanging down in an outstretched 

manner. If the effigy will be used temporarily (e.g., up to 3 months, 

depending on weather conditions) and if odor is not a concern, use an 

intact carcass. 

WS specialists installing a vulture effigy made from

natural and synthetic materials. Photo by USDA WS

Proper positioning of vulture

carcass with outstretched

wing. Photo by USDA WS
Recommended Materials 

The following method and materials are best used for hanging effigies at vulture roost sites and 

can be found at most outdoor or general merchandise stores. Other methods such as using a 

fishing rod and weight, or an arborist throw bag can be used depending on the height and 

complexity of the desired placement of the effigy, however this is our method of choice due to 

greater accuracy and efficiency in placing the line. 

 a bow and fishing arrow (fiberglass or other heavy arrow with line 

attachment point and field point); 

 archery fishing set-up with rod, reel, and 20-40# line; 

 spool of 1/8" - 1/4" effigy attachment line (nylon or other synthetic 

weather resistant line); 

 heavy duty fishing type snap swivels; 

 a small, smooth weight (e.g. sinker) or sandbag that can be used 

to adjust the line. 

Placing the Effigy Attachment Line 

In wooded roosts, the attachment line can be placed using a compound bow fitted with a 

commercially available fishing set-up (such as Zebco 808 reel mounded on a small rod attached to 

the stabilizer hole and a fishing arrow). Alternatively, it is possible to use a standard fishing rod with 

a fishing arrow (fiberglass field point arrow with a small hole near the nock for line attachment), 

however this requires a second person to hold the rod and ensure that the line does not become 

tangled. Twenty-pound monofilament line or braided line is recommended because of its strength 

and flexibility. 

Choose a branch or attachment point that is high and prominent. For best results, the effigy should 

be highly visible to vultures entering the roost. The space directly below the attachment point 

should be free of branches or other obstructions that could entangle the effigy during heavy 

winds. For example, from an attachment point 5 feet out on a branch the effigy should hang down 

no more than 5 feet to prevent it becoming tangled in the trunk of the tree. 

Shoot the arrow over the attachment branch. Attempt to limit the number of branches the line goes 

over by putting tension on the line after it passes over the attachment branch. Remove the arrow 

and secure the attachment line to the fishing line. Pull the effigy attachment line back over the 

branch, remove the fishing line, and attach a heavy-duty snap swivel to the effigy attachment line. 

If the line has gone over multiple branches, it may be necessary to pull it back from all but the main 

attachment branch. This can be done by attaching a smooth-edged weight to the end of the line 

Example bow, archery fishing set‐up and fishing

arrow. Photo by USDA WS
closest to the excess branches, pulling the weight over the branches until it reaches the effigy 

attachment branch, and then lowering the weight. 

For lower attachment points, it may be possible to use a using an arborist throw sack slung over 

the branch or attachment point. For towers or other structures, a professional climber or other 

authorized maintenance person should install the effigy from a prominent point. 

Attaching the Effigy 

To attach the effigy, take 2 to 3 feet of the same material as the attachment line, fold it in half and 

tie a small loop at the midpoint. This is the point at which the attachment line and snap swivel are 

connected. Next, tie the ends of the looped line to the legs of the effigy just above the feet, making 

sure to wrap the line twice around the leg before tying a secure knot. The knotted loop ensures that 

in the event one of the leg knots comes loose, the effigy will remain in place. 

Putting the Effigy to Work 

Raising the effigy into place may require two people depending on the weight of the bird, the height 

of the attachment point, and the number of branches the line contacts. It often helps to get the effigy 

moving by having one person push up on it while a second person pulls on the other end of the 

line. 

Raise the effigy as high as possible while evaluating its visibility, whether it can become entangled, 

and whether it may be accessible to perching vultures. Stand back from the roost and look at the 

effigy from different angles to determine if its height and prominence is satisfactory. Finally, tie the 

trailing end of the attachment line to a secure location that minimizes potential interference by 

pedestrian, wildlife, or other traffic. Wrap and secure the excess line for later use should the effigy 

need to be lowered for maintenance or replacement. Avoid tying the line to places (such as along 

a fence top, horizontal branch, or other movement corridor) where chewing damage by rodents is 

likely. The effigy should be visible to incoming birds, hanging upside down with its wings 

outstretched, and ready to disperse the roost. 

Revised, May 2021 

Effigy attachment line. Note looped line

attached to swivel and legs. Photo by USDA WS
(Mention of brand names does not constitute endorsement by the USDA. For technical questions 

regarding effigy use and installation, please contact John S. Humphrey at the USDA National 

Wildlife Research Center’s Florida Field Station - 352-375-2229; email: 

(john.s.humphrey@usda.gov).